BOSCO-Uganda Mission StatementBOSCO focuses on providing innovative information and communication technology (ICT) solutions using a collaborative and Internet approach to foster socio-economic development and peace building in rural communities in Northern Uganda.

Our strategy is based on ICT and computer education for rural communities, with a particular focus on Web 2.0 applications and usage; ICT for sustainable rural development, livelihoods and income generation; and research and installation of innovative ICT technologies for rural areas.

BOSCO envisions open and peaceful rural communities, ready to face the challenges and opportunities of the globalized world in the 21st century.

Current BOSCO Programming1) Provision of innovative ICT resources and equipment: BOSCO is providing low-power PCs connected to long-range WiFi Internet and VoIP telephony in former IDP camps in rural northern Uganda. The BOSCO network also brings all 20 site locations together on a common Intranet and phone network, creating a collaborative environment for mutual stakeholders in the ongoing peace and recovery process in northern Uganda.

BOSCO long-range WiFi antenna at Coope IDP camp

2) Collaborative Web 2.0 "Train the Trainer" Programming: BOSCO is providing innovative training to students, teachers, community leaders, health workers, civil servants and others using a newly created Web 2.0 Training Manual. BOSCO trains community training volunteers to use the Internet in a collaborative way, emphasizing the social nature of Acholi culture to bring people together to solve community problems using local knowledge. After volunteers are trained by BOSCO staff, they become certified Web 2.0 Trainers and begin training their fellow community members, inititating the Train the Trainer cycle. Click here to see a PDF copy of our Web 2.0 training manual. Currently BOSCO has registered 38 site training volunteers.

BOSCO training volunteers

3) Acting as a conduit for collaboration among northern Ugandan institutions and organizations: BOSCO currently has provided connectivity in former IDP (displacement) camps, rural primary and secondary schools, a national teacher training college, health clinics, local government offices, local community-based organization (CBO) and non-governmental organization (NGO) offices, and the Archdiocese of Gulu. Our goal is to get these stakeholders - all with a different area of expertise - working together and collaborating to use local solutions in the ongoing peace and recovery process, using a 21st century technology.

4) BOSCO is providing concrete change:

Commmunity Development proposals are being written at the grass-roots level

Human rights monitoring is more effective with the use of technology to spread news of violations and provide efficient reporting